Hey, That Rings A Bell
I believe that compassion is an inherent human quality tied to our
heart strings. The pull of those heart strings rings a bell of sorts within
a human. The pull of the heart string reverberates through our being and
triggers our consciousness into an emotional reaction.
Bells are everywhere and they are certainly prominent at Christmas time.
The Salvation Army rings bells to inspire passers by to place donations of cash
inside red kettles. In my ignorance, I assumed The Salvation Army was only
an American organization. I’ve now learned it’s origin was in England in 1865 and
today The Salvation Army has offices in 131 countries.
The movie, It’s a Wonderful Life is an exceptional movie showing the compassion
and caring of a community. In the final scene, George Bailey is holding his young
daughter beside their Christmas tree…… A tiny bell on the tree magically rings by itself.
The daughter says…. “Teacher says, every time a bell rings, an Angel gets his wings.”
It's a Wonderful Life is a 1946 American film produced and directed by Frank Capra and based on the short story "The Greatest Gift" written by Philip Van Doren Stern.
The film takes place in the fictional town of Bedford Falls shortly after World War II and stars James Stewart as George Bailey, a man whose attempted suicide on Christmas Eve gains the attention of his guardian angel, Clarence Odbody (Henry Travers) who is sent to help him in his hour of need. Most of the film is told through flashbacks spanning George's entire life and narrated by Franklin and Joseph, unseen Angels who are preparing Clarence for his mission to save George. Through these flashbacks we see all the people whose lives have been touched by George and the difference he has made to the community in which he lives. (Wikipedia)
In by gone days, church bells were rung for many occasions. One reason for the ringing of church bells was to spread the news of the recent death. One of my very favorite quotations is from John Donne a Jacobean metaphysical poet.
In 1624 he wrote Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions.
Meditation 17 - (In modern word usage)
“No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”
His words speak to me of how we are all intrinsically tied to one another through our humanity.
We are asked to have compassion for this person and their passing, whether or not we knew them.
In ending, let me tell you exactly how I know that compassion is inherent human quality.
Step back in time with me to my ‘other life’. ‘My other life’ are the words I use to describe my
first marriage. The year was 1983 and my husband Mark and I had been married for 5 years and we lived in a town less than 10 miles from his Nonna (Grandmother) and his Aunt Edna.
Auntie Edna was a single lady who had never married. Edna lived with Nonna and worked a full time job.
Nonna was a quiet, shy sort of woman of Northern Italian decent. At this time in 1983 Nonna was 82 years old.
She had been in exceptional good health, not an ache or pain to speak about.
Then in a matter of only a few weeks, she was not herself. The clinical diagnosis was dementia. Her mind was slipping away.
Edna was only a few years away from retirement, but quitting her job early to
take care of her Mother would have been a great hardship upon her life.
In May of 1983 Mark and I had one child, Nicole, she was 15 months old.
I suggested to Mark that we move in with his Grandmother and Aunt.
I was working a part time job and my hours could be adjusted to be with Nonna as
not to leave her alone. I realized the ramifications of such a move, and was willing to do this to help out his family. He at first was not. I then convinced him that it was
in the best interest of his family.
Sadly, within a matter of only a few weeks of our moving in with them, Nonna’s mind deteriorated so that not even a house full could not have cared for her, unless we
were trained nurses. She would sleep only in increments of a couple of hours.
She attempted to leave the house and it was also apparent she had no conception
of who we were. Nonna was moved to a nursing home.
Within a matter of months, she passed on.
The point of relating this story to you is something that happened during the
short time we were there.
Auntie had come home from work, we had dinner and had settled Nonna into bed.
Nicole was happily playing with her toys on the floor of the living room. I was in the kitchen
area cleaning up. I had a view into the living room.
Auntie Edna was sitting on the couch. I glanced towards her and could see her hands to her face in quiet tears. Then the weight of the world burst forth and it was full blown sobs. Before I could advance towards Auntie, Nicole jumped up and RAN over to her Great Aunt.
She laid her tiny head down in Auntie’s lap and was patting both of her legs.
I was stunned. Here was this child, barely in this world one year and
three months and she was compassionately comforting her 59 year old Great Auntie.
After Nonna’s passing and for many years to come, we fondly remembered that moment.
At 15 months old, the only explanation is that Nicole arrived with this ability, as do we all.
Compassion is a necessary component within our humanity.
I look forward to seeing how others ‘Spread the Love NOW!’ through their blog writings.
Thank you, Wade, Kenton and Albert.
Three cheers for thee Three Monks. !!!
